New Country, New Challenges, and a Whole Lot of Fun
Moving to a new country—especially one with a different language—can feel like jumping into the deep end. And let’s be real, the older we get, the more we question our life choices. Am I doing the right thing? Will I fit in? Do I really need to learn a whole new set of bureaucratic nightmares?
Luckily for me, Switzerland isn’t too much of a linguistic shock. With German, Italian, and French floating around, I can mostly get by. But oh, Swiss German… that’s a different beast. It’s like German, but with a sprinkle of French influence and a whole lot of “Wait, what did they just say?” moments. I’m getting used to it—slowly.
Embracing the Swiss Way of Life
Switzerland isn’t just about mountains, chocolate, and luxury watches. There’s also the sacred lunch break—a glorious 1-2 hour pause in the middle of the day, kind of like a Spanish siesta. And guess what? I love it. That’s why I’m currently sitting in a cozy café, writing about my Swiss adventures.
One of my biggest challenges now? Registering my business here. Switzerland has its own rules, and as a small business owner, I need to finally learn bookkeeping (sigh). Let’s be honest—most artists aren’t huge fans of accounting, but we all have to face the numbers eventually.
My Creative Space in the Alps
On the bright side, my new workspace is amazing! I have an entire 15m² room dedicated to making jewelry. That means:
A photo studio table
A massive worktable
Three shelves packed with finished designs
A big shelf for my pre-cut and prepared tire tubes
And the best part? A veranda where I can use my laser cutter (because, surprise—burning tires stinks and probably isn’t great for my lungs). Oh, and did I mention the view? Alpine mountains as far as the eye can see!
City vs. Countryside: Why I Chose Nature
After years in Berlin, moving to the countryside feels like hitting reset. Here, I can go on hikes, take motorbike tours, and just breathe. No city noise, no chaos—just me and nature.
To be fair, Berlin isn’t the same city I moved to 13 years ago. But that’s life, right? We change, cities change, and sometimes we need a new adventure.
Swiss People Are Adorably Polite
Working in Swiss cafés and restaurants has been a fun way to meet people. And honestly, the Swiss are so sweet! One of my favorite things? When they see a group of people, they don’t just say hi—they say “Grüße Zäme!” (which means hello everyone). It’s such a small thing, but it makes me smile every time.
The Motorbike Dilemma
Now, let’s talk about my motorbike. It didn’t fit in the van when I moved (oops), so it’s still waiting in a Berlin garage. I looked into special train transport, but it turns out those services only start in May—because, of course, seasonal plates only start in April.
So, what are my options?
- Ride it down—Make a stop in Frankfurt at a good friend’s house (but first, figure out if I can get a temporary plate now that I don’t live in Germany).
2. Try to fit it in my tiny flower-covered car—which means disassembling the front air stopper and mirrors. A high-risk, high-reward mission.
Wish me luck—I’ll update you on how it goes!
What’s Next?
Once my motorbike is here, I’ll start exploring Switzerland on two wheels. Expect more blog posts about my rides, scenic routes, and why working with tire tubes to make jewelry fits so perfectly into this adventure.
Until then…
Be free, ride free, feel free!
